Feeding device for a press
A feeding device for a press comprising: a first belt ( 2 ), movable in advancement along a conveying direction (X) and passing through a press ( 11, 12 ); depositing means ( 3 ), predisposed for spreading in a layer an amount (L) of loose material (L) on a movable plane. The device comprises a second belt ( 4 ), on which the depositing means ( 3 ) operate, located upstream of the first belt ( 2 ), which is movable along the conveying direction (X) and is substantially aligned and contiguous to the first belt ( 2 ). The first belt ( 2 ) and second belt ( 4 ) are movable independently of one another.
1. A feeding device for a press comprising: a first belt ( 2 ), a second belt ( 4 ), and depositing means ( 3 ); the first belt ( 2 ) having a forward portion ( 2 a ) movable in advancement along a conveying direction (X) and passing through a press ( 11 , 12 ), the depositing means ( 3 ) being located and configured and operable to spread an amount (L) of loose material in a layer on the second belt ( 4 ), which yields on the second belt ( 4 ) a layer of loose material to be pressed; the second belt ( 4 ) being located upstream of the first belt ( 2 ), the second belt ( 4 ) having a forward portion ( 4 a ) movable along the conveying direction (X) and being substantially aligned and contiguous to the forward portion ( 2 a ) of the first belt ( 2 ) so that, in operation, the forward portion ( 4 a ) of the second belt ( 4 ) deposits the layer of loose material to be pressed onto the forward portion ( 2 a ) of the first belt ( 2 ), the first belt ( 2 ) and the second belt ( 4 ) being movable independently of one another; wherein the forward portion ( 4 a ) of the second belt ( 4 ) comprises a front end ( 40 ) which is at least partially over a rear end ( 20 ) of the forward portion ( 2 a ) of the first belt ( 2 ).
2. The feeding device according to claim 1 , wherein the front end ( 40 ) of the forward portion ( 4 a ) of the second belt ( 4 ) is at a greater height with respect to the rear end ( 20 ) of the forward portion ( 2 a ) of the first belt ( 2 ) where the front end ( 40 ) of the forward portion ( 4 a ) of the second belt ( 4 ) deposits the layer of loose material to be pressed onto the rear end ( 20 ) of the forward portion ( 2 a ) of the first belt ( 2 ) so that the layer of loose material drops from the front end ( 40 ) of the forward portion ( 4 a ) of the second belt ( 4 ) onto the rear end ( 20 ) of the forward portion ( 2 a ) of the first belt ( 2 ).
3. The feeding device according to claim 1 , wherein the second belt ( 4 ) comprises a guide element ( 41 ), arranged at the front end ( 40 ), around which the second belt ( 4 ) is folded to define a return bend with respect to the conveying direction (X).
4. The feeding device according to claim 3 , wherein the guide element ( 41 ) comprises a rectilinear edge ( 42 ) around which the second belt ( 4 ) is slidable, so as to define the return bend with respect to the conveying direction (X).
5. The feeding device according to claim 4 , wherein the guide element ( 41 ) is equipped with means for sending an air flow between the rectilinear edge ( 42 ) and the second belt ( 4 ).
6. The feeding device according to claim 5 , wherein the means for sending an air flow comprise a conduit ( 43 ), passing through the rectilinear edge ( 42 ) and provided with a plurality of outlet holes which open on the surface of the rectilinear edge ( 42 ).
7. The feeding device according to claim 1 , comprising a pair of lateral barriers ( 5 ), arranged parallel to the conveying direction (X) relative to the depositing means ( 3 ), so as to laterally contain the amount (L).
8. The feeding device according to claim 1 , comprising a pair of lateral barriers ( 6 ), arranged parallel to the conveying direction (X) at an initial portion of the first belt ( 2 ), so as to laterally contain the amount (L).
9. The feeding device according to claim 8 , wherein the barriers ( 6 ) have at least one initial ramp, wherein they are located at a longer mutual distance from one another, wherefrom they converge along the conveying direction (X) towards a central zone, wherein they are substantially parallel one to another.
10. The feeding device according to claim 1 , comprising a third belt ( 8 ) movable along a closed looped path which has a forward portion ( 8 a ) below the forward portion ( 4 a ) of the second belt ( 4 ).
11. The feeding device according to claim 10 , wherein the forward portion ( 8 a ) of the third belt ( 8 ) is arranged in contact with the forward portion ( 4 a ) of the second belt ( 4 ).
12. The feeding device according to claim 10 , wherein the path of the third belt ( 8 ) extends within the path of the second belt ( 4 ).
13. The feeding device according to claim 3 , wherein the second belt ( 4 ), after it exits the return bend, slopes downwardly at an acute angle with respect to the forward portion ( 4 a ) of the second belt ( 4 ).
14. The feeding device according to claim 1 , wherein the layer of loose material to be pressed is a layer of ceramic material to be pressed into a ceramic slab.
15. The feeding device according to claim 1 , wherein a portion of the front end ( 40 ) of the second belt ( 4 ) extends further in the conveying direction (X) than a portion of the rear end ( 20 ) of the first belt ( 2 ).
16. The feeding device according to claim 1 , wherein the layer of loose material to be pressed is powder and/or granules.
17. The feeding device according to claim 1 , wherein the radius of curvature followed by the second belt ( 4 ) at the front end ( 40 ) is smaller than the radius of curvature followed by the second belt ( 4 ) at the end of the second belt ( 4 ) which is opposite the front end ( 40 ).
18. The feeding device according to claim 1 , wherein the radius of curvature followed by the second belt ( 4 ) at the front end ( 40 ) is smaller than the radius of curvature followed by the first belt ( 2 ) at the rear end ( 20 ) of the first belt ( 2 ).